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Shadow City
Shortlisted for the 2025 Danger Award for Crime Fiction
Sydney, The body of a young woman is found in Chinatown. She's been beaten, tortured - and tattooed with the image of a sun. Called to the scene, Sergeant Jackie Rose asks herself whether this was a drug murder, or something else. But before her investigation can get under way, she is ordered to hand the case over to the Australian Federal Police.
Cape Town, South A local girl recruited to study in Australia has fallen off the radar. Veteran detective Schalk Lourens - recently suspended from duty - has already made plans to visit his daughter in Sydney, with emigration in mind. He decides to search for the missing girl while he is there.
Jackie and Schalk join forces, exposing a trail of corruption and crime stretching from the foreshore of the city's iconic harbour, back to South Africa and across the world.
Together the pair must navigate a minefield of deceit and manipulation set by an enemy more powerful and depraved than they can imagine. And failure isn'tan option, because not only their own futures, but those of hundreds of vulnerable young people, hang in the balance.
Sydney, The body of a young woman is found in Chinatown. She's been beaten, tortured - and tattooed with the image of a sun. Called to the scene, Sergeant Jackie Rose asks herself whether this was a drug murder, or something else. But before her investigation can get under way, she is ordered to hand the case over to the Australian Federal Police.
Cape Town, South A local girl recruited to study in Australia has fallen off the radar. Veteran detective Schalk Lourens - recently suspended from duty - has already made plans to visit his daughter in Sydney, with emigration in mind. He decides to search for the missing girl while he is there.
Jackie and Schalk join forces, exposing a trail of corruption and crime stretching from the foreshore of the city's iconic harbour, back to South Africa and across the world.
Together the pair must navigate a minefield of deceit and manipulation set by an enemy more powerful and depraved than they can imagine. And failure isn'tan option, because not only their own futures, but those of hundreds of vulnerable young people, hang in the balance.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2024
About the author
Natalie Conyer
7 books17 followersI'm a reader of everything and a crime fiction writer.
My first novel, Present Tense, is the first in the Schalk Lourens series. It won the 2020 Ned Kelly Award for best debut crime fiction.
Shadow City, the next book in the series, was published in 2024.
My third book, Finding the Bones, is due out in 2026...and a fourth is under way.
A collection of my short stories, titled The Book Club and Other Stories, was published in 2024.
My first novel, Present Tense, is the first in the Schalk Lourens series. It won the 2020 Ned Kelly Award for best debut crime fiction.
Shadow City, the next book in the series, was published in 2024.
My third book, Finding the Bones, is due out in 2026...and a fourth is under way.
A collection of my short stories, titled The Book Club and Other Stories, was published in 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 18, 2024
Shadow City is my first book by Natalie Conyer and as soon as I'd finished I was searching out more of her work.
Shadow City is set in both Sydney, Australia and Cape Town, South Africa. Conyer keenly portrays her characters love for their hometowns and expertly depicts how hard it is to leave your home even when the situation is dire.
DS Jackie Rose is called after the discovery of the body of a young woman. The death is at first thought to be a drug overdose but as the pathologist exams the body it becomes clear this is a case of ongoing abuse and questions of people trafficking and enslavement arise.
Veteran Detective Schalk Lourens disillusioned with life, and suspended from duty pending an ongoing inquiry, decides to visit his daughter in Australia. A friend asks him if he can look into the disappearance of a young South African woman who went to Australia a few months ago on a scholarship. Schalk is then introduced to Jackie and her team in Homicide.
I was swept away with this whole story. The police procedural was compelling and moved along at a fast pace as they pieced together snippets of information and CTV footage.
I loved that the story wasn't all about the crime. We get to know the characters on a personal level and I enjoyed that lovely bit of chemistry between Schalk and Jackie.
Conyer has a sharp instinct for character rendering them real and likeable. I could see how I was cleverly steered to like or dislike the characters.
I was impressed by how Conyer adds diversity to her story and characters without it ever feeling contrived.
Shadow City always has plenty happening which keeps the pages turning and I have to say, 'I couldn't put this book down!" The suspense builds slowly and the atmosphere sizzles with menace making Shadow City an utterly addictive read.
Shadow City is set in both Sydney, Australia and Cape Town, South Africa. Conyer keenly portrays her characters love for their hometowns and expertly depicts how hard it is to leave your home even when the situation is dire.
DS Jackie Rose is called after the discovery of the body of a young woman. The death is at first thought to be a drug overdose but as the pathologist exams the body it becomes clear this is a case of ongoing abuse and questions of people trafficking and enslavement arise.
Veteran Detective Schalk Lourens disillusioned with life, and suspended from duty pending an ongoing inquiry, decides to visit his daughter in Australia. A friend asks him if he can look into the disappearance of a young South African woman who went to Australia a few months ago on a scholarship. Schalk is then introduced to Jackie and her team in Homicide.
I was swept away with this whole story. The police procedural was compelling and moved along at a fast pace as they pieced together snippets of information and CTV footage.
I loved that the story wasn't all about the crime. We get to know the characters on a personal level and I enjoyed that lovely bit of chemistry between Schalk and Jackie.
Conyer has a sharp instinct for character rendering them real and likeable. I could see how I was cleverly steered to like or dislike the characters.
I was impressed by how Conyer adds diversity to her story and characters without it ever feeling contrived.
Shadow City always has plenty happening which keeps the pages turning and I have to say, 'I couldn't put this book down!" The suspense builds slowly and the atmosphere sizzles with menace making Shadow City an utterly addictive read.
July 15, 2025
As a South African-born woman now living in Perth, I found Shadow City a deeply thoughtful read. Natalie Conyer's exploration of what it means to be South African, both pre- and post-apartheid, and how that identity carries across borders was one of the most compelling aspects of the novel for me. Detective Schalk Lourens' quiet reflections on his past and his shifting sense of belonging felt authentic and poignant, particularly in the way they interacted with his new surroundings in Australia. I also got a chuckle out of the line, "Why Sydney? Why not London, or LA, or Perth even?" - I’m very curious about why so many South Africans ended up in Perth of all places!
While the plot revolves around a gripping cross-continental investigation into human trafficking, I found myself more drawn to the moments of introspection than the procedural beats. I can see how some readers might find the novel unevenly paced, especially if they're looking for fast-paced crime fiction rather than a character study, but I appreciated the balance Conyer attempted. That being said, as a crime novel I do think it holds up; there were plenty of procedural elements that I could find familiarity in the generic conventions and play my favourite “what’s going to happen next” game trying to beat the fictional detectives, but there were also enough twists that I didn’t completely guess what was going to happen by the end.
The romantic subplot between the two main characters didn't feel strictly necessary. I think the novel would have stood strong without it, but it also didn't detract from my enjoyment. The ending, however, felt a bit abrupt, leaving me wanting a little more resolution or emotional fallout after such a heavy journey.
I found Shadow City to be a smart and emotionally layered read that straddles two worlds, just like its protagonist, and I think it will especially resonate with readers who carry complex cultural identities of their own. A solid crime book, and a welcome (and rare) Australian/South African read!
While the plot revolves around a gripping cross-continental investigation into human trafficking, I found myself more drawn to the moments of introspection than the procedural beats. I can see how some readers might find the novel unevenly paced, especially if they're looking for fast-paced crime fiction rather than a character study, but I appreciated the balance Conyer attempted. That being said, as a crime novel I do think it holds up; there were plenty of procedural elements that I could find familiarity in the generic conventions and play my favourite “what’s going to happen next” game trying to beat the fictional detectives, but there were also enough twists that I didn’t completely guess what was going to happen by the end.
The romantic subplot between the two main characters didn't feel strictly necessary. I think the novel would have stood strong without it, but it also didn't detract from my enjoyment. The ending, however, felt a bit abrupt, leaving me wanting a little more resolution or emotional fallout after such a heavy journey.
I found Shadow City to be a smart and emotionally layered read that straddles two worlds, just like its protagonist, and I think it will especially resonate with readers who carry complex cultural identities of their own. A solid crime book, and a welcome (and rare) Australian/South African read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2025
Taking place in both Sydney, Australia and Cape Town, South Africa, author Natlie Conyer's novel is a tense and compelling story dealing with some pretty ugly stuff.
In Sydney, Detective Sergeant Jackie Rose and her partner Detective Constable Kinsella are called to a death: a young woman, bearing clear signs of several beatings and malnutrition. With little to no leads, Jackie is forced to move on to new cases.
Meanwhile, in Cape Town, Captain Schalk Lourens is suspended when a man on trial accuses him of great abuses of power and brutality during Apartheid. Though largely innocent, he decides to use his time off to visit Stella, his daughter, in Sydney. Before he leaves, he's apprised of a missing young woman whose grandmother has not heard from her for weeks after she left, on scholarship, for school in Sydney. Since he has a month in Sydney, he decides to follow up with authorities there.
When Schalke arrives in Sydney, he and Jackie compare notes, and realize that the dead girl she found is unlikely to be an isolated case, and together, the two begin delving into the situation, with Schalk's colleagues working their own connections in Cape Town, and exposing several similar missing persons cases like the one Schalk is investigating. That they are all connected, and involve international corruption and reach, begins to become apparent, with Schalk and Jackie working as fast as they can to find the hopefully still alive girl Schalk came to Australia looking for.
I was gripped by this narrative immediately. The situation posited by Conyer is heinous: manipulation and recruitment of naïve and poor young adults for what seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity in Sydney, but which is actually nightmarish coercion into a life of imprisonment and abuse.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and now I want to find the first Schalke Lourens book as I enjoyed this. Schalke proves to be a thoughtful, driven man whose entire life is upended by the hit to his reputation, but it also proves to be the very thing he needed to reconsider what he wants to do. Be an investigator, certainly, but where and how, are the questions running through his mind as he works the dangerous missing persons case.
Both he and Jackie are compelling characters, and the plot held my interest all the way to its satisfying end.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Echo Publishing for this ARD in exchange for my review.
In Sydney, Detective Sergeant Jackie Rose and her partner Detective Constable Kinsella are called to a death: a young woman, bearing clear signs of several beatings and malnutrition. With little to no leads, Jackie is forced to move on to new cases.
Meanwhile, in Cape Town, Captain Schalk Lourens is suspended when a man on trial accuses him of great abuses of power and brutality during Apartheid. Though largely innocent, he decides to use his time off to visit Stella, his daughter, in Sydney. Before he leaves, he's apprised of a missing young woman whose grandmother has not heard from her for weeks after she left, on scholarship, for school in Sydney. Since he has a month in Sydney, he decides to follow up with authorities there.
When Schalke arrives in Sydney, he and Jackie compare notes, and realize that the dead girl she found is unlikely to be an isolated case, and together, the two begin delving into the situation, with Schalk's colleagues working their own connections in Cape Town, and exposing several similar missing persons cases like the one Schalk is investigating. That they are all connected, and involve international corruption and reach, begins to become apparent, with Schalk and Jackie working as fast as they can to find the hopefully still alive girl Schalk came to Australia looking for.
I was gripped by this narrative immediately. The situation posited by Conyer is heinous: manipulation and recruitment of naïve and poor young adults for what seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity in Sydney, but which is actually nightmarish coercion into a life of imprisonment and abuse.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and now I want to find the first Schalke Lourens book as I enjoyed this. Schalke proves to be a thoughtful, driven man whose entire life is upended by the hit to his reputation, but it also proves to be the very thing he needed to reconsider what he wants to do. Be an investigator, certainly, but where and how, are the questions running through his mind as he works the dangerous missing persons case.
Both he and Jackie are compelling characters, and the plot held my interest all the way to its satisfying end.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Echo Publishing for this ARD in exchange for my review.
August 24, 2024
Natalie Conyer drew considerable praise, and a Ned Kelly Award, for her excellent first novel, Present Tense, which dived convincingly into the maelstrom of modern South Africa. Now with her second novel, Shadow City she continues her examination of the complexity of politics and policing in that country, while also addressing the broader issue of modern day slavery.
Shadow City moves seamlessly between Cape Town and Sydney, and reintroduces us to veteran South African detective Schalk Lourens and a new character in the form of Sydney Homicide Detective, Jackie Rose.
The book opens with the discovery of the body of a young woman in a food court in Sydney’s Chinatown. She had been beaten, tortured and tattooed with the image of a sun. Called to the scene, Jackie asks herself whether this was a drug murder, or something else. But before her investigation can get under way, she is ordered to hand the case over to the Australian Federal Police.
Meanwhile in Cape Town, a local girl recruited to study in Australia has fallen off the radar. Veteran detective Schalk Lourens, recently suspended from duty over allegations about past misconduct during white rule, has already made plans to visit his daughter in Sydney. Unable to neglect the plea from the missing girl’s mother, however, he decides to search for her while he is there.
Once in Australia, Schalk finds himself caught up in Jackie’s investigation, and together they join forces to expose a trail of corruption and crime stretching from the Sydney foreshore to the picturesque Blue Mountains and across the world.
Shadow City is a powerful and engaging novel. The descriptions are crisp and evocative, and the characters are nicely nuanced and convincing. Schalk’s outsider views of Sydney are interesting, and spot on, and the descriptions of Cape Town are also striking. The plot moves along at a brisk pace and the ending, although a little drawn out, is thought provoking, and offers the requisite excitement and twists you expect in a crime novel.
Underpinning the plot are seemingly astute observations on the political and social situation in South Africa, and the hidden trade in people smuggling and modern day slavery. There are also pointed reflections on policing in Australia and the influence of international politics. These troubling concerns are well conveyed and add some good flesh to the story, and help to propel it along.
Some of the relationships in the book are a little too convenient, but overall Shadow City is one of the best crime thrillers I have read this year.
See full review and more at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/a...
Shadow City moves seamlessly between Cape Town and Sydney, and reintroduces us to veteran South African detective Schalk Lourens and a new character in the form of Sydney Homicide Detective, Jackie Rose.
The book opens with the discovery of the body of a young woman in a food court in Sydney’s Chinatown. She had been beaten, tortured and tattooed with the image of a sun. Called to the scene, Jackie asks herself whether this was a drug murder, or something else. But before her investigation can get under way, she is ordered to hand the case over to the Australian Federal Police.
Meanwhile in Cape Town, a local girl recruited to study in Australia has fallen off the radar. Veteran detective Schalk Lourens, recently suspended from duty over allegations about past misconduct during white rule, has already made plans to visit his daughter in Sydney. Unable to neglect the plea from the missing girl’s mother, however, he decides to search for her while he is there.
Once in Australia, Schalk finds himself caught up in Jackie’s investigation, and together they join forces to expose a trail of corruption and crime stretching from the Sydney foreshore to the picturesque Blue Mountains and across the world.
Shadow City is a powerful and engaging novel. The descriptions are crisp and evocative, and the characters are nicely nuanced and convincing. Schalk’s outsider views of Sydney are interesting, and spot on, and the descriptions of Cape Town are also striking. The plot moves along at a brisk pace and the ending, although a little drawn out, is thought provoking, and offers the requisite excitement and twists you expect in a crime novel.
Underpinning the plot are seemingly astute observations on the political and social situation in South Africa, and the hidden trade in people smuggling and modern day slavery. There are also pointed reflections on policing in Australia and the influence of international politics. These troubling concerns are well conveyed and add some good flesh to the story, and help to propel it along.
Some of the relationships in the book are a little too convenient, but overall Shadow City is one of the best crime thrillers I have read this year.
See full review and more at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/a...
October 8, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
“Shadow City” by Natalie Conyer is a riveting crime thriller that seamlessly blends the gritty realities of police work with the atmospheric tension of a cross-continental mystery.
This novel, penned by a Ned Kelly award-winning author, takes readers on a dark and twisting journey from the bustling streets of Sydney to the shadowy corners of Cape Town.
The story begins with the discovery of a young woman’s body in a food court in Sydney’s Chinatown. The victim has been brutally beaten, tortured, and marked with a distinctive sun tattoo. Sergeant Jackie Rose of the Sydney Homicide Squad is called to the scene, and what initially appears to be a straightforward murder investigation quickly spirals into a web of corruption.
Jackie teams up with Schalk Lourens, a veteran detective from Cape Town, who brings his own set of skills and baggage to the case. Together, they navigate a minefield of deceit and manipulation...
Conyer excels in creating multi-dimensional characters. Jackie Rose is a determined and resourceful detective, whose personal struggles add depth to her professional persona. Schalk Lourens, with his gruff exterior and haunted past, provides a perfect counterbalance to Jackie. Their partnership is one of the highlights of the novel, showcasing a dynamic interplay of trust, tension, and mutual respect.
Conyer’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the essence of both Sydney and Cape Town with vivid detail. The narrative is well-paced, balancing intense action scenes with moments of introspection and character development. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, adding to the authenticity of the police procedural elements.
“Shadow City” delves into themes of corruption, justice, and the moral complexities of law enforcement. The novel also explores the impact of crime on communities and the personal toll it takes on those who seek to uphold the law. Conyer handles these themes with nuance, providing a thought-provoking backdrop to the thrilling plot.
Note: Some plot twists may be predictable for seasoned crime fiction readers. The dual settings might be confusing for some readers initially.
Ultimately, “Shadow City” is a compelling addition to the crime fiction genre, offering a gripping narrative that keeps readers hooked. Natalie Conyer has crafted a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with characters that linger in the mind long after the final page.
Whether you’re a fan of police procedurals or looking for a new thriller to dive into, “Shadow City” is a must-read.
“Shadow City” by Natalie Conyer is a riveting crime thriller that seamlessly blends the gritty realities of police work with the atmospheric tension of a cross-continental mystery.
This novel, penned by a Ned Kelly award-winning author, takes readers on a dark and twisting journey from the bustling streets of Sydney to the shadowy corners of Cape Town.
The story begins with the discovery of a young woman’s body in a food court in Sydney’s Chinatown. The victim has been brutally beaten, tortured, and marked with a distinctive sun tattoo. Sergeant Jackie Rose of the Sydney Homicide Squad is called to the scene, and what initially appears to be a straightforward murder investigation quickly spirals into a web of corruption.
Jackie teams up with Schalk Lourens, a veteran detective from Cape Town, who brings his own set of skills and baggage to the case. Together, they navigate a minefield of deceit and manipulation...
Conyer excels in creating multi-dimensional characters. Jackie Rose is a determined and resourceful detective, whose personal struggles add depth to her professional persona. Schalk Lourens, with his gruff exterior and haunted past, provides a perfect counterbalance to Jackie. Their partnership is one of the highlights of the novel, showcasing a dynamic interplay of trust, tension, and mutual respect.
Conyer’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the essence of both Sydney and Cape Town with vivid detail. The narrative is well-paced, balancing intense action scenes with moments of introspection and character development. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, adding to the authenticity of the police procedural elements.
“Shadow City” delves into themes of corruption, justice, and the moral complexities of law enforcement. The novel also explores the impact of crime on communities and the personal toll it takes on those who seek to uphold the law. Conyer handles these themes with nuance, providing a thought-provoking backdrop to the thrilling plot.
Note: Some plot twists may be predictable for seasoned crime fiction readers. The dual settings might be confusing for some readers initially.
Ultimately, “Shadow City” is a compelling addition to the crime fiction genre, offering a gripping narrative that keeps readers hooked. Natalie Conyer has crafted a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with characters that linger in the mind long after the final page.
Whether you’re a fan of police procedurals or looking for a new thriller to dive into, “Shadow City” is a must-read.
September 5, 2024
Shadow City is Natalie Conyer’s follow up to her award winning debut Present Tense. Present Tense was set in South Africa and focussed on South African issues. In Shadow City, Conyer brings her Cape Town police detective Schalk Laurens to Sydney in search of a missing girl, allowing her to dig into more global concerns.
In Sydney, local police detective Sergeant Jackie Rose and her partner are called to the scene of a death of a young woman in Chinatown. When Rose finds that the woman was an international student and comes from a family in South Africa, the case is quickly handed off to the Federal Police. Meanwhile in South Africa, Schalk Laurens is being smeared by his old nemesis and is stood down while his colleagues try to clear his name. In order to get some distance he decides to visit his daughter in Sydney but before he goes, he is asked to try and track down a girl who has gone missing while in Australia on a scholarship. By the laws of literary coincidence Laurens’ path crosses with Rose and her team and a connection emerges with her former case. Soon the two, and their respective teams are working together to try and find the missing girl and solve the earlier case.
Schalk Laurens continues to be an intriguing protagonist for Conyer to focus on – a white policeman dedicated to helping build a new South Africa but with skeletons in his closet. In Shadow City he connects with his daughter and finds a community of expat South Africans in Sydney and, given what is happening at home, has to decide whether he will join them permanently. But Conyer also introduces Jackie Rose, a dogged investigator, coming to a point where she also has to make some life choices. These two well drawn characters are surrounded by a range of delightful and interesting side characters.
Shadow City is very much a procedural. Using this form, Conyer manages to build and maintain the tension even if readers work out what is going on or pick some of the twists before they are revealed. And it deals with some pretty dark contemporary issues particularly around the people who prey on those striving to improve their situation.
Conyer uses both her Sydney and Cape Town locations well, taking readers to both familiar and not-so familiar parts of both cities. As the name suggests, she digs into some of the more unsavoury underbelly of Sydney, what might be going on behind the scenery. And in doing so delivers the whole package with Shadow City – engaging characters, a great sense of place and a page-turning crime story with real world issues on its mind.
In Sydney, local police detective Sergeant Jackie Rose and her partner are called to the scene of a death of a young woman in Chinatown. When Rose finds that the woman was an international student and comes from a family in South Africa, the case is quickly handed off to the Federal Police. Meanwhile in South Africa, Schalk Laurens is being smeared by his old nemesis and is stood down while his colleagues try to clear his name. In order to get some distance he decides to visit his daughter in Sydney but before he goes, he is asked to try and track down a girl who has gone missing while in Australia on a scholarship. By the laws of literary coincidence Laurens’ path crosses with Rose and her team and a connection emerges with her former case. Soon the two, and their respective teams are working together to try and find the missing girl and solve the earlier case.
Schalk Laurens continues to be an intriguing protagonist for Conyer to focus on – a white policeman dedicated to helping build a new South Africa but with skeletons in his closet. In Shadow City he connects with his daughter and finds a community of expat South Africans in Sydney and, given what is happening at home, has to decide whether he will join them permanently. But Conyer also introduces Jackie Rose, a dogged investigator, coming to a point where she also has to make some life choices. These two well drawn characters are surrounded by a range of delightful and interesting side characters.
Shadow City is very much a procedural. Using this form, Conyer manages to build and maintain the tension even if readers work out what is going on or pick some of the twists before they are revealed. And it deals with some pretty dark contemporary issues particularly around the people who prey on those striving to improve their situation.
Conyer uses both her Sydney and Cape Town locations well, taking readers to both familiar and not-so familiar parts of both cities. As the name suggests, she digs into some of the more unsavoury underbelly of Sydney, what might be going on behind the scenery. And in doing so delivers the whole package with Shadow City – engaging characters, a great sense of place and a page-turning crime story with real world issues on its mind.
October 9, 2024
4 stars
This is the second book by Conyer featuring the character of Schalk Lourens, a veteren detective from Cape Town, South Africa, but you really don't need to have read the first book to get this one.
It is a gripping thriller that starts as a bit of a slow burn but then really takes off with some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The action all takes place between Australia and South Africa, and it seems clear to me that the author has a deep love for both countries. But, let's be totally honest here, you can love your country and still be disappointed in it. Whether it be government corruption, long-held racism, heinous crimes, etc., the st0ry really captures the inner turmoil of the protagonists dealing with these big themes as they race to solve the murder they were initially tasked to solve. Some parts I found a bit hard to read because of the main subject matter - human trafficking - but the story is really about shining a spotlight on this global problem, and it was treated with enough care and compassion by the author that I still ended up enjoying the book quite a lot.
Thanks to NetGalley, author Natalie Conyer, and Echo Publishing for providing me with a digital advance review copy of this book for free to read and review. All opinions are my own and provided voluntarily.
This is the second book by Conyer featuring the character of Schalk Lourens, a veteren detective from Cape Town, South Africa, but you really don't need to have read the first book to get this one.
It is a gripping thriller that starts as a bit of a slow burn but then really takes off with some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The action all takes place between Australia and South Africa, and it seems clear to me that the author has a deep love for both countries. But, let's be totally honest here, you can love your country and still be disappointed in it. Whether it be government corruption, long-held racism, heinous crimes, etc., the st0ry really captures the inner turmoil of the protagonists dealing with these big themes as they race to solve the murder they were initially tasked to solve. Some parts I found a bit hard to read because of the main subject matter - human trafficking - but the story is really about shining a spotlight on this global problem, and it was treated with enough care and compassion by the author that I still ended up enjoying the book quite a lot.
Thanks to NetGalley, author Natalie Conyer, and Echo Publishing for providing me with a digital advance review copy of this book for free to read and review. All opinions are my own and provided voluntarily.
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September 16, 2024SHADOW CITY needless to say is exposing some complicated issues, but it's doing it in a novel that's both powerful and surprisingly engaging, given the subject matter. The dialogue is believable, and the mixing of Aussie slang and South African terminology gives it a lighter touch when required. Schalk's part tourist viewpoint of Sydney works and the comparisons between there and Cape Town give the reader a real sense of the foreigner in a foreign land, a nice combination of nothing dividing like a common language, and a love for home despite the challenges. The plot moves along at a reasonable clip, although some of the elements of the ending are a bit drawn out, but then there's enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. There's also a big twist at the end that, upon reflection, makes enormous sense, setting up some potential for surprises come book three.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
September 13, 2024
This story conveys a powerful message about a pressing issue we face today: trafficking. It sheds light on the number of individuals involved in each trafficking group. I particularly enjoyed our characters and the way their interactions felt natural and organic. This isn’t a straightforward story; it delves into various aspects and offers a comprehensive exploration of the case.
January 27, 2025
Wow- a great read. This book gripped me and I found the characters well formed. Trafficking of people happens around the world and that is the topic in this book. A South African policeman on leave becomes involved in working with a group to find what has happened to some students who were offered a scholarship to travel to study but disappear. The final solving of the case was interesting.
February 27, 2025
What a read. I hope both end up together eventually. I spent some time in South Africa and feel every word that has been written about South Africa, longing to go back now. Loved the South African translations at the end. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2024
Hot off the press. We’ve waited for this sequel to Present Tense and it doesn’t disappoint. Old characters and new meet in this twisty dark tale set in South Africa and Sydney. Fabulous!
October 21, 2024
Really enjoyed this - hope it becomes a series
October 29, 2024
More in my next Good Reads blog at www.sandiwallace.com/blog/.
January 30, 2025
Really enjoyed this - the two locations of Cape Town and Sydney were great. Schalk is a terrific character.
September 16, 2024
Quote: “I don’t believe in coincidence. There has to be a connection.”
Review: I want to say thank you to the author for allowing me the opportunity to arc read Shadow City. I was hooked on this book from the first chapter. During this story you will follow along side of detective Jackie and Schalk as two case lead them to each other and they must team together to solve it. I am a HUGE mystery book lover and I feel like not very mystery book is well written but Shadow City blew me away. A true page turner and so many questions that made you keep coming back for more. I just love the relationship between the two main characters and the development of their characters. As this story unfolds everything starts to take shape, we learn shocking information that rattles you to your core. The ending truly was insane and I had no clue what in the world happened. I will definitely be recommending this book whenever I get the chance.
Review: I want to say thank you to the author for allowing me the opportunity to arc read Shadow City. I was hooked on this book from the first chapter. During this story you will follow along side of detective Jackie and Schalk as two case lead them to each other and they must team together to solve it. I am a HUGE mystery book lover and I feel like not very mystery book is well written but Shadow City blew me away. A true page turner and so many questions that made you keep coming back for more. I just love the relationship between the two main characters and the development of their characters. As this story unfolds everything starts to take shape, we learn shocking information that rattles you to your core. The ending truly was insane and I had no clue what in the world happened. I will definitely be recommending this book whenever I get the chance.
March 18, 2026
A crime mystery read, Shadow City (2024) by Natalie Conyer is set in Sydney. Detective Sergeant Jackie Rose is called to the body of a young woman found in Chinatown. As Jackie tries to discover the person’s identity and awaits the cause of death, she is ordered to hand the case over to the Federal Police. Veteran South African detective, Schalk Lourens is visiting his daughter in Australia and is asked to check on a missing young student. When another body is discovered, Schalk and Jackie are appointed to a joint task force investigating possible human trafficking. An interesting police procedural ensues, with the dynamics between the two detectives a focus, and a dual international story basis follows. It’s an engrossing read with interesting characters and subplots, with a surprising finale that has a four star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
May 25, 2025
Shadow City is the first book by Natalie Conyer which I have read , and I found myself engrossed from the opening chapters.
The novel moves between Sydney and Cape Town with young people being recruited from South Africa for an opportunity to study in Australia. But when a body of a young girl is found in Sydney alarm bells begin to ring for the police who start to delve into her back ground.
The script is crisp which adds intensity to the storyline which contains modern themes of abuse, and slavery but there is some lighter parts with Detective Schalk Laurens being attracted to The Australian Sergeant Jackie Rose
So a great plot, with good strong characters, ensures the author has woven a gritty tale , which also has sub plots to work out as well , makes for an exciting thriller for the reader and I recommend this as suitable for anyone who enjoys a thriller / crime novel
The novel moves between Sydney and Cape Town with young people being recruited from South Africa for an opportunity to study in Australia. But when a body of a young girl is found in Sydney alarm bells begin to ring for the police who start to delve into her back ground.
The script is crisp which adds intensity to the storyline which contains modern themes of abuse, and slavery but there is some lighter parts with Detective Schalk Laurens being attracted to The Australian Sergeant Jackie Rose
So a great plot, with good strong characters, ensures the author has woven a gritty tale , which also has sub plots to work out as well , makes for an exciting thriller for the reader and I recommend this as suitable for anyone who enjoys a thriller / crime novel
October 13, 2025
REad paperback but not offered as an option.
Debut novel by a a cpmpetent writer.
The locations in sydney are very familiar eergo easy to 'visualise' the story.
repugnat sex trade is the premise for this gritty crime thriller.
Debut novel by a a cpmpetent writer.
The locations in sydney are very familiar eergo easy to 'visualise' the story.
repugnat sex trade is the premise for this gritty crime thriller.
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